AlbertA chain incorporating a T-bar fitting. Originating as attachments to pocket watches which often featured ornamentation, usually in the form of a medallion or other decorative item attached to one end. As waistcoat wearing fell from vogue and the popularity of wrist watches grew, ladies adapted their husband's or father's chains and wore these as necklaces.AssayIs the testing of an alloyed metal for purity. In Britain the assay offices based in London, Birmingham, Sheffield and Edinburgh will assay gold and silver objects for purity before they may be struck with an appropriate hallmark.BaguetteThis is a gemstone that has been cut into a narrow rectangular form.

Cabochon A cabochon is a gemstone that has been shaped by smooth polishing rather than cut with flat faceted sides. It is to be most commonly encountered with opals and amber jewels.Crown The upper half of a gemstone. Generally this will consists of a larger flat facet (called the Table) and smaller facets to the sides referred to as shoulders.Cushion A manner of cutting a diamond incorporating both a generally oblong or square shape (unsurprisingly resembling a cushion) with rounded corners.

Facet A facet is a flat surface polished or cut into a gemstone. The number of facets that a gemstone may have will vary according the cut.Faux A term to identify imitation materials, such as the term "faux pearls" which is commonly used to describe simulated pearls.Fluorescence Refers to the level by which some diamonds appear to alter in colour when they are exposed to different types of light.Girdle Is usually the widest point on a gemstone. It is customary to grasp this with prongs when setting or examining the stone.Hall Mark A series of stamped marks issued by the Assay Offices of Britain as a guarantee of authenticity on silver and gold items.

Heat Treatment Heat treatment is used to increase or intensify the colour of a gemstone. The process actually alters a stone's structure and is generally permanent.Inclusion Literally denotes the “inclusion” of a foreign particle of matter contained within a gemstone. This includes air bubbles as well as solid foreign objects. On rare occasions inclusions will add to the value of a stone rather than decreasing its worth, examples being needles in rutilated quartz and spangles in amber. A particularly notable form of inclusion that has captured the imagination of the general public due to the science fiction work of Michael Crichton, is the “inclusion” of an insect inside a piece of amber.Lustre The manner in which light is reflected from the surface of an object resulting in a brilliant, radiant or glossy appearance.Mikimoto Pearls A term not only referring to the leading brand of cultured pearls founded by Kokichi Mikimoto, (the Japanese entrepreneur credited as the creator of cultured pearls) but often used to describe cultured pearls in general.

Nacre Is the pearly secretion release by the mantle of particular mollusc species that forms a pearl.Navette Is a gemstone cut of an oval form which is pointed at both ends.

Pavilion Is the lower half of a gemstone, located below the girdle of the stone.Repoussé Translates literally from the French as “To Push Back”. It refers to a metal working technique whereby a malleable metal is hammered or pressed from the rear to produce a design in relief.Table Is the top flat facet of a cut gem stone, which is also referred to as its face. At Libertons, you will find all the A-Z anatomy about gems. It’s the marketplace where the seller can meet the makers of finest antique and vintage jewellery in United Kingdom. Let’s discover a gem only designed for you.

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